(Ecofin Agency) - In Tunisia, national oil and gas production is estimated to reach approximately 5.1 million tonne of oil equivalent in 2016, while that of phosphate will reach 6 million tonnes, Industry, Energy and Mines Minister Zakaria Hamad revealed.

While speaking at a House of the People's Representatives' plenary session on Sunday, Mr. Zakaria noted that the likely boost in oil and natural gas production in the country is as a result of the prospection efforts, which is aimed at assisting in the exploit of three new wells and the drilling of 11 new wells in 2016.

According to Tunis Afrique Presse, the industry will reach a 2% growth in 2016, an increase by 6% in the area of industrial exports and an investment volume worth 2,300 million dinars.